The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 97 Gross-Brennan, Inc., Organization Holds Its Third Annual Banquet at Hotel Astor Thirty-one Members of Staff of New York and Boston Stromberg-Carlson Representative Gather at Annual Event — Broadway Stars Entertain Diners — Interesting Talks Given The members of Gross-Brennan, Inc., Stromberg-Carlson radio distributors, of New York, thirty-one strong, held their Third Annual Ban rnorning, led by Jimmie Caruso's Orchestra, assisted by several Broadway stars, including Morton Downey, of Excess Baggage and Club Rich Third Annual Banquet of Gross-Brennan, Inc., Stromberg-Carlson Distributor quet, on Wednesday evening, December 28th, in the Rose Room of the Hotel Astor. The banquet this year was, to the minds of all present, the greatest which they have yet held and contained many interesting high spots. An unusual arrangement of toastmasters war followed in the persons of three new "babies" in the organization, Messrs. A. C. Barg, Frank McCloskey and P. B. Collison. This distinction was a mark of appreciation from the heads of the firm as a tribute to the success which these newer members of the organization had made in their short period of employment. Ben Gross gave a very interesting talk on the subject of "Organization Development" and Herb Brennan talked at some length on the subject of "Our Ideals of the Past — Our Aims and Ideals for 1928." Several other members of the organization were called upon and responded with interesting remarks and once again had the opportunity of referring to the happy connection which they claim with Gross-Brennan, Inc. A very interesting group of entertainers kept the crowd happy until the wee small hours of the man; Maxinc Lewis, of Club Richman; Danny Dare, of The 5 o'Clock Girl; Leo Donnelly, of White Lights, and several vaudeville artists, including Dave Franklin and Bert Gilbert and Eddie Mulcahey, the Irish monologuist. Gross-Brennan, Inc., had much cause for celebration this year by virtue of having for three successive years, including 1927, reached the point of sales in the last four months of the year exceeding the twelve previous months. An analysis of sales during 1927 shows that the average retail sale unit was over $450 per set, indicating an ever increasing demand for better radios. Another point that gives this organization plenty of reasons to be proud is that the majority of Stromberg-Carlson dealers in the Gross-Brennan territory did over 50 per cent of their total radio business on Stromberg-Carlson merchandise and netted two-thirds of their profits on Stromberg-Carlson sales alone. Otto B. Heaton recently took over the entire business of Heaton's Music Store, Columbus, O., following retirement of C. W. Heaton. The Neiv Improved Janette Rotary Converter Type CB \2-F, a heavy duty machine recommended {or dealer use. Will operate either A.C. radio or electric talking machine. Smaller Converters, with or •without filters, are also obtainable. Converter must be equipped with filter when intended for radio operation. Boosting Radio Sales in Direct Current Districts Janette Rotary Converters are helping hundreds of dealers in direct current districts to boost their A.C. radio and electric phonograph sales. Dealers who formerly were prevented from demonstrating their A.C. machines, can now give faultless demonstrations of ALL machines, grounded or ungrounded. The New Improved Filtering Device assures silent operation. Janette Converters occupy an extremely small space — easily placed out of sight. Write for low prices and full information Janette Manufacturing Co. 554 W. Monroe St. CHICAGO Singer Building Real Estate 147 Broadway, New York Trust Building Philadelphia Trade Activities in the Philadelphia Territory {Continued from page 96) fore the dealers and the trade generally by Sydney Schwartz, special Chicago representative of the Brunswick Co., upon his recent visit to the Philadelphia offices: "The music retailer vs. the music merchant is the designation between future success and failure. Each year since the World War the absolute necessity of being a merchant in order to survive has been forcefully proved. No longer is it possible for the retailer to sit comfortably back in his 'oldest established music store in town' and live on the laurels of a past reputation. No longer can he anticipate the manufacturer taking the obligation of 'advertising' the customer into his front door. No longer can he say, 'I'll handle the line of least resistance.' There are no lines of least resistance. "Musical instruments must be sold. They are no longer being bought. In many ways this is a desirable condition; it will separate the chaff from the wheat; it will reduce retail competition; it will prove who are music merchants. The progressive music merchant makes his presence felt in his community. He is a factor in the social and commercial life and his townspeople recognize him as an authority in his line. He 'sells' himself; he sells his organization through having them thoroughly trained and in a position to represent him at all times in a manner worthy of the music merchant. He uses progressive methods of selling — no antiquated mailing list, not checked up from year to year; no prospect list filed in alphabetical order for 'future reference,' no 'take them in the booth record girl,' but an 'on the job' sales force with new and modern ideas." RCA Acquires Interest in FBO Pictures Corp. A substantial interest in the FBO Pictures Corp. has been acquired by the Radio Corp. of America, according to a recent announcement, through which it is expected that radio sound reproduction will be synchronized with motion picture production and presentation. Negotiations were successfully concluded by David Sarnoff, vice-president of the Radio Corp., and Joseph P. Kennedy, president of the FBO Corp. It was said that the devices and developments controlled by RCA will not be exclusive to the FBO Co., but will be available to the entire motion picture industry. The announcement reads in part: "This affiliation opens for motion pictures for the first time the tremendous resources and potentialities of radio. It will give the movies the use of all present patents and prospective developments of sound reproduction and synchronization, broadcasting, television, etc., of the Radio Corp. of America, the General Electric Co. and the Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co. A complete revolution of present-dav entertainment may easily develop as a result of this affiliation. "The first important development of the combination will be the presentation of a new method of sound reproduction and synchronization perfected by General Electric." Superior Cabinet Corp. Expands to Better Service Due to expansion of manufacturing facilities, the Superior Cabinet Corp., of New York, announces that it is now ready to take care of quantity orders for the production of cabinets of special designs for jobbers and distributors of radio set manufacturers. A very satisfactory business was enjoyed during 1927, according to executives of the Superior Cabinet Corp.